Not Like This

Summary:
When Bella jumped off the cliff, Alice didn't see anything, and Jacob didn't make it back to the beach in time to pull her out of the sea when he did. What happens to Bella when no one is there to save her? May continue if you like it. R&R! (Be nice about the banner--it's my first time making one ^.^)

Notes:

9. Talent

Before I could move an inch, Edward caught up to me and picked me up deftly, running swiftly in the other direction. I heaved a sigh of relief as the scent of human lessened, grateful that there would be no close calls for any human tonight. I buried my face into Edward’s chest meekly, hearing the low growl forming there and resigning myself to a furious rage later on.

The twenty minute run home would have been pleasurable if Edward had said anything, but he didn’t even glance at me, and he never let me down. Suddenly, I wished I could disappear. Edward started suddenly, and looked down at me.

“You can suppress your scent. How did you do that?” he demanded, his eyes boring into mine. I shrugged as best as I could, my face still pressed into his chest, inhaling his scent to clear my bloodthirsty mind.

We got back to the house we were staying in without another word said between us. Edward put me down and paced to a nearby window, gazing out at the endless expanse of snow with a slightly disgusted look on his face.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, sinking into a nearby chair. Never before had I hated Victoria more than I did right now… Victoria made me this way. My uncontrollable bloodlust drove Edward to the point of being disgusted with me, and I couldn’t blame him—I was pretty disgusted with myself, too. The whole talk with Jasper had flown right out of my head as soon as I smelled humans, and I briefly considered running away from Edward and going to the North Pole so he wouldn’t have to deal with me, and the worst thing that could happen would be coming across a team of explorers.

Edward whipped around and his amber eyes bore into mine. “What are you thinking about? You supressed it completely that time,” he demanded.

I could feel the familiar tightening of my chest, but forced myself to calm down—holding in sobs I couldn’t release was a painful experience. Wearily, I answered, “Maybe I should go to the North Pole or something. Or you could lock me up in some kind of stronghold and let animals in for me every once in awhile. I don’t know. I don’t want to kill, but that’s all I seem to want to do,”

His hardened eyes softened and he put a perfectly-sculpted arm around my hunched shoulders. “Oh, Bella,” he whispered, the back of his hand grazing my cheek lovingly, “It’s hard for everyone. Really. It takes time, sweetheart—you’ll see.You’ll be able to control yourself around humans in no time.” He kissed the top of my head and left the room, heading upstairs.

I spied his cell phone on the table. “I’m going to call Jacob,” I said conversationally, knowing he’d have no trouble hearing me. I didn’t hear anything but his footsteps, so I picked up the phone and dialed Jacob’s new cell phone.

“Hold on a second—Charlie’s here,” I heard a soft breathy voice say. I stayed perfectly quiet as I heard footsteps on the other line and a door. “Okay—hey, Bella. Sorry about that; I didn’t want to accidentally say anything.”